Quantum Theory In "Basic Physics of Atoms and Molecules," Ugo and L. Fano provide a unique and welcome book on quantum physics. The nature of this book may be partially defined in terms of presentations which it does not resemble. The book does not begin by presenting quantum theory as a mathematical system. This is not a hook designed to teach techniques of wave mechanical calculations. The authors have instead interwoven an analysis of selected experiments with the introduction of concepts of quantum physics. The statements, which express the results of this selected set of experiments, are made precise and are generalized to give statements of quantum theory in mathematical form. The book is well organized and readable. The basic concepts are developed individually. The difficulties a reader may encounter in understanding this material reflect the difficulties of moving from a verbal discussion of the several experiments to the more general and compact expressions of ...
Quantum Theory In "Basic Physics of Atoms and Molecules," Ugo and L. Fano provide a unique and welcome book on quantum physics. The nature of this book may be partially defined in terms of presentations which it does not resemble. The book does not begin by presenting quantum theory as a mathematical system. This is not a hook designed to teach techniques of wave mechanical calculations. The authors have instead interwoven an analysis of selected experiments with the introduction of concepts of quantum physics. The statements, which express the results of this selected set of experiments, are made precise and are generalized to give statements of quantum theory in mathematical form. The book is well organized and readable. The basic concepts are developed individually. The difficulties a reader may encounter in understanding this material reflect the difficulties of moving from a verbal discussion of the several experiments to the more general and compact expressions of ...
Abstract This book provides the reader with a contemporary and comprehensive introduction to Quantum Mechanics. It is suitable for beginners as well as for more advanced university students. Quantum mechanics is presented in a pedagogical fashion, with a clear logical organization. The various concepts and methods are introduced first in elementary terms, and later developed into more precise formulations. Systematic studies of approximation methods and the discussion of a wide class of physical applications follow. Part I of the book, together with the opening sections of Part II, provide adequate material for an introductory course of one semester at most universities. The rest of the book might be used in an advanced course on Quantum Mechanics. The basic material is fairly standard, even though some discussions such as those on general systems with time-dependent Hamiltonians, on metastable systems, as well as the discussions in some of the Complement sections, may not be found in other textbooks. The book also contains many original observations or new ways of illustrating even well-known subjects. In fact, the authors wish to convey in this book the sense of wonder in the logical simplicity and at the same time the beauty of subtle and far-reaching consequences of Quantum Mechanics, to young physics students in particular. Problem sets are provided at the end of each chapter, to be solved either analytically or by numerical methods. The solutions to both types of problems are given as separate pdf files or as Mathematica notebooks (there are 88 of them), all together on a CD accompanying the textbook. The presence of such a collection of numerical analyses enriches the main text and is one of the characteristic features of the book. With the many interesting systems discussed, the book will also be a useful reference for researchers and teachers. It provides the reader with a unique, enjoyable and rather complete textbook of Quantum Mechanics, destined to set a new standard for many years to come.
This modern textbook offers an introduction to Quantum Mechanics as a theory that underlies the world around us, from atoms and molecules to materials, lasers, and other applications. The main features of the book are: * Emphasis on the key principles with minimal mathematical formalism * Demystifying discussions of the basic features of quantum systems, using dimensional analysis and order-of-magnitude estimates to develop intuition * Comprehensive overview of the key concepts of quantum chemistry and the electronic structure of solids * Extensive discussion of the basic processes and applications of light-matter interactions * Online supplement with advanced theory, multiple-choice quizzes, etc.
ISBN: 0 471 96364 X Although the author claims to have written a `novel introduction' to the quantum theory of matter, this book is certainly just one of a wealth of books on that subject appearing on the market every year. What is really novel about the presentation is that the more `formal aspects' of quantum mechanics, especially a discussion of the Schrodinger equation, are relegated to an appendix, while in the text only specific solutions to that fundamental equation are discussed. On the other hand, the book certainly provides an extensive outline of various applications of quantum mechanics to atoms, molecules and solids. On the atomic level even the emission of light, spin and many electron atoms are treated; similarly on the molecular scale the most important aspects are presented. Almost one half of the book is devoted to the quantum theory of solids, and here the range of topics includes, of course, the band model and its various implications, but also surfaces and non-crystalline solids. Due to the aim of the book the author had to present various complex situations in an abbreviated form, thereby sometimes losing the rigour of the necessary proof of the statements. But, taken altogether, the book will provide the reader with an overall view, and sometimes an in-depth discussion, of the quantum world of atoms, molecules and solids. Somewhat distracting might be the large number of footnotes collected at the end of each chapter; of advantage, however, are the selections of problems there.
Quantum mechanics is one of the most challenging subjects to learn. It is challenging because quantum phenomenon is counterintuitive, and the mathematics used to explain such a phenomenon is very abstract, and difficult to grasp. This textbook is an attempt to overcome these challenges. Every chapter presents quantum ideas step- by- step in a structured way with a comparison between quantum and classical concepts. It provides a clear distinction between classical and quantum logic. Conceptual questions are provided after every important section so that the reader can test their understanding at every step. Such an approach aids in preventing misconceptions. Problem solving is not restricted to solving differential equations and integration. But it requires to systematically and creatively analyze a problem, to apply the new and powerful concepts for finding a solution and to understand the physical meaning of the solution. The tutorials on special topics are an effort to teach problem solving by actively engaging the reader in a thinking process, to apply the concepts and to understand the physical meaning of the solution. The simulations are provided for some of the topics. The simulations aid in the visualization of the quantum phenomenon, and for meaningful understanding of the mathematics. This approach may lead to development of "quantum mechanical intuition "as well as learning mathematical techniques for problem solving. Most importantly, the book is not flooded with numerous topics that makes the reader confused and distracted, rather the most important topics are discussed at a deeper level. The understanding of quantum mechanics is incomplete without understanding the early ideas and experiments that lead to the development of the quantum theory. Thus, the first two chapters of the book are dedicated to such topics. The key features of this book are: A simplified, structured, and step-by-step introduction to quantum mechanics. The simplification is attained through use of two-level system, step- by- step discussion of important topics in a simplified language at a deeper level, analogies, and visualization using illustrations and simulations A systematic arrangement of topics, and numerous worked- out examples. The presentation of the structure in the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics provides clarity in understanding complicated and abstract mathematics. It also helps to understand the distinction between the quantum mechanical and classical approaches Conceptual questions at the end of every important section. The conceptual questions can be used in a classroom as a point of discussion between an instructor and students Tutorials on special topics. Simulations on special topics aid in the visualization of the physical phenomenon, and demonstration of the application of mathematics An in-depth discussion of the wave-particle duality, measurement problem, and their philosophical implications in Chapter 2 provides an understanding of the broader meaning of quantum mechanics
Explaining the concepts of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory in a precise mathematical language, this textbook is an ideal introduction for graduate students in mathematics, helping to prepare them for further studies in quantum physics. The textbook covers topics that are central to quantum physics: non-relativistic quantum mechanics, quantum statistical mechanics, relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. There is also background material on analysis, classical mechanics, relativity and probability. Each topic is explored through a statement of basic principles followed by simple examples. Around 100 problems throughout the textbook help readers develop their understanding.
The first volume (General Theory) differs from most textbooks as it emphasizes the mathematical structure and mathematical rigor, while being adapted to the teaching the first semester of an advanced course in Quantum Mechanics (the content of the book are the lectures of courses actually delivered.). It differs also from the very few texts in Quantum Mechanics that give emphasis to the mathematical aspects because this book, being written as Lecture Notes, has the structure of lectures delivered in a course, namely introduction of the problem, outline of the relevant points, mathematical tools needed, theorems, proofs. This makes this book particularly useful for self-study and for instructors in the preparation of a second course in Quantum Mechanics (after a first basic course). With some minor additions it can be used also as a basis of a first course in Quantum Mechanics for students in mathematics curricula. The second part (Selected Topics) are lecture notes of a more advanced course aimed at giving the basic notions necessary to do research in several areas of mathematical physics connected with quantum mechanics, from solid state to singular interactions, many body theory, semi-classical analysis, quantum statistical mechanics. The structure of this book is suitable for a second-semester course, in which the lectures are meant to provide, in addition to theorems and proofs, an overview of a more specific subject and hints to the direction of research. In this respect and for the width of subjects this second volume differs from other monographs on Quantum Mechanics. The second volume can be useful for students who want to have a basic preparation for doing research and for instructors who may want to use it as a basis for the presentation of selected topics.